Stiffness sidelines Cormier

KISSIMMEE, Fla. - So this is why the Atlanta Braves were preparing six starting pitchers for the season ahead.

Right-hander Lance Cormier had to leave in the second inning here Monday against Houston because of stiffness in his throwing shoulder.

Cormier still remained confident about his ability to bounce back before Opening Day, even suggesting he'll be able to start Saturday's exhibition against the White Sox in Atlanta, but the event and timing of it are obviously of concern for the Braves.

Cormer, 26, told manager Bobby Cox that he had similar stiffness in 2005 with Arizona that lasted just three or four days. Cox said he remained hopeful about the pending prognosis, which should be more clear today.

"It's not in the labrum area, the rotator cuff area," Cox said of Cormier, tentatively penciled in as the No. 4 starter to begin the year. "He was throwing lights out. ... He's been just about perfect every outing."

Entering camp, Cormier looked to be the odd-man out for the fifth spot, but Kyle Davies struggled early with control and, working with a new cut-fastball, Cormier was in full command.

Cormier's 12/3 scoreless innings before the injury dropped his already miniscule spring ERA to 1.15 in 152/3 innings. His 13 strikeouts still lead the team, which currently has five starters with ERAs under 2.00.

"It's definitely not a good time for anything to happen," said Cormier, a reliever last year that became an emergency starter toward season's end.

Atlanta purchased the contract veteran left-hander Mark Redman, who they signed to a minor league deal March 9 just after Mike Hampton injured his side. Hampton is expected back as early as May 7.

Redman gave up four homers in a minor league game Monday, but Cox attributed that to wind, a bad mound and "a veteran working on his stuff."

And then there's Davies, who would stand to gain the most if Cormier is shelved for a bit. Previously, it appeared Davies would be headed to Triple-A Richmond. Now there might be a spot for him after all.

Davies, the 23-year-old right-hander, will start Wednesday's game in St. Lucie against the Mets. He has 1.93 ERA in 14 spring innings.

Cracking up

Matt Diaz cracked one of his front teeth Monday when Woodward accidentally hit Diaz in the mouth with his bat during BP.

After initially continuing to hit, Diaz and the team's medical staff decided to send the outfielder, a native of nearby Lakeland, to his local dentist for an X-ray exam and a crown.

He was scratched from the lineup Monday, but is expected to be OK and could play tonight.

"That's the hardest thing you've hit all spring," one Braves joked to Woodward, who had two hits Monday to get him to .217 for camp.

Justice to be honored

The Braves announced Monday that David Justice will be inducted into the team's Hall of Fame this summer.

Justice was a Brave from 1989-1996, winning the NL rookie of the year award in 1990. His best year in Atlanta came in 1993, when he hit 40 home runs and drove in 120 runs, finishing third in the NL MVP voting.

Justice, 39, also delivered a big moment in franchise history, homering for the only run in the deciding game of the 1996 World Series.